ELEVEN-year-old Jake Everden of Bonny Hills relishes the chance to join his dad Scott on the court each week for a game of wheelchair basketball.
The North Haven Public School student is one of the able-bodied players spinning his wheels with the Port Macquarie Rollers.
“I just hopped in the wheelchair to have a go, and I found it really fun,” he told News Of The Area.
“I think it’s pretty cool that I get to play wheelchair basketball; it’s hard, but I think I’m getting better at it.”
The Rollers can be heard locking their wheels or screeching down the indoor courts of Port Macquarie’s PCYC every Monday during school terms between 4pm and 6pm.
Hub leader Meredith Evans said that in addition to able-bodied players like Jake, there are team members with a range of disabilities.
“We have players with spinal injuries, and mental health and neurological [problems],” she told News Of The Area.
“If I got in a chair, I’d be an amputee [player].”
The Rollers have just wrapped up their season in the Wheelchair Basketball Club League, after hosting Round 11 on Saturday 17 May.
They lost to the Coffs Harbour Stingrays but scored a win over the Newcastle Falcons.
Jake, Casey Hale and Emma McNaught of the Rollers and Allen Wilmen of the Stingrays were named the most valuable players.
The Illawarra Eagles were named the League’s statewide champions.
Meredith said the wet weather makes it a perfect time to try an indoor sport like wheelchair basketball, although for many the key issue is transport.
“There are players on the court at the moment who cannot get here because they can’t drive, so they’re relying on support workers.
“Then it’s about being able to keep people coming along.”
Scott Everden was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis 20 years ago.
While he can walk and function, he technically qualifies as having a level of disability.
“In a way it’s good to encourage others who are in that grey area,” he said.
“I was invited along just to try it out by Meg McIntyre, who’s a bit of a local legend, and I actually went ‘’yeah, this is kind of alright’.
“It’s lots of fun and it’s social, and everybody’s really nice.
“I need to work on my fitness but I think it’s probably improved a little bit since doing this, definitely.”
Wheelchair Basketball is considered one of Australia’s growth sports with competitions ranging from grassroots friendlies through to elite competition.
Four-time Paralympian turned coach Gerry Hewson has been travelling throughout regional NSW to promote the five-a-side game and was courtside in Port Macquarie on Saturday to provide expert advice.
“My passion is to try and develop wheelchair basketball programs throughout the regions,” he told News Of The Area.
“What we’re trying to do is to build our clubs so that we have both able-bodied people play and also people with disabilities – like reverse integration.”
The Mid North Coast has plenty of role models to inspire future players.
Port Macquarie native Ryley Batt has been described by Paralympics Australia as one of the best wheelchair rugby players in the world while Coffs Coast Paralympian Bill Latham was a standout member of the Australian Rollers at the 2024 Games in Paris.
“The opportunity is there,” Gerry said, “firstly, for people to play and have fun”.
“Secondly, if they want to represent the region and NSW and Australia, then we’re trying to provide that pathway for them.”
The Rollers encourage wheelchair users, their carers and anyone else who’d like to give the game a try, to come along to the PCYC on one of their training afternoons.
They can watch a session and even try-out one of the game chairs supplied by Wheelchair Sport NSW/ACT and the NSW Government.
There is no cost to play or to use the chairs.
Meredith said the club would especially like to hear from anyone willing to volunteer their time to service the wheelchairs.
“Someone who’s got experience with bikes would be great.”
By Sue STEPHENSON
